CIOs are in a unique position to leverage technology in order to drive innovation and boost business growth.
The CIO Playbook is the handy desk reference for CIOs, CEOs, CFOs, and up and coming leaders, revealing a dynamic seven-step framework (Partner – Organize – Innovate – Deliver – Support – Protect – Grow) that will guide you in making essential changes to your organization.
The proven strategies, tools, and techniques in The CIO Playbook make it the ultimate "how-to" resource for creating a high-performance IT organization that delivers value-added products and services to employees, customers, and shareholders.
Table of Contents
Measure Progress Toward IT Goals
Different Approaches to Strategic Planning
Differentiate Customers and Partners
Take on Responsibilities Outside of IT
Cloud Computing is Changing the Role of IT
Define an IT Organizational Model
Manage Software Selection Process
Maintain a Portfolio of Products and Services
Why System Implementations Fail
Develop a High Performance Team
Create Service Level Agreements
Determine Approach to IT Chargebacks
Manage Operational Performance
Building a Shared Service Center (SSC)
Transparency with Risk Management
Cultivate High Potential (HIPOs)
Build a Management Development Program
Foster Teamwork Through Community Service
Recognize and Reward Employees
Manage Operational Performance
Order Your Copy of
The CIO Playbook
The most trusted advisors chief information officers have are other CIOs, and Nicholas Colisto capitalizes beautifully on that fact in The CIO Playbook. This highly readable guide to succeeding in one of the toughest jobs in the C-suite features a step-by-step framework that is practical, focused, and quite specific. The strategies Nicholas describes come to life through anecdotes and straightforward advice from many of the industry's most respected CIOs who share their advice on everything from partnering with business colleagues to innovating and delivering results."
―Maryfran Johnson, Editor in Chief, CIO Magazine and Events
"The CIO Playbook is a must-read for technology management executives in all industries. It provides concrete solutions for reshaping the partnership between information systems organizations and the business to enable growth through innovation. It is a practical guide to navigating risks in an environment where technology is evolving continuously and the economic landscape is transforming routinely. Nicholas Colisto managed to weave strategy and tactics in a book that is both thought provoking and applicable."
―Gabrielle Wolfson, Chief Information Officer, Panasonic Corporation of North America
"The CIO Playbook is a no-fluff, high-value read. Nicholas has done a great job in leveraging collective intelligence to first identify the real and pressing issues that IT leaders struggle with, and then offer pragmatic strategies to address them. A very well-structured treasure chest of knowledge and insights that every current and aspiring IT leader must own and refer to."
―Sanjog Aul, Host, CIO Talk Radio
"Nicholas Colisto takes a practical approach to sharing an incredibly useful framework for how CIOs can help their organizations leverage technology to transform their enterprises. This book is a valuable tool that every IT executive should have in their tool belt."
―Larry Bonfante, CIO, USTA; author of Lessons in IT Transformation
"From strategic project selection to optimizing alignment so that it best benefits the business, The CIO Playbook is written to help CIOs improve their effectiveness."
―Ron V. Rose, Senior Vice President, Dell.com
"A refreshing, innovative approach to educating and influencing us through pragmatic to breakthrough advice in the form of quotes from a carefully selected who's who in the industry who advise what they learned from meeting head-on and conquering the toughest challenges in technology management."
―Frank Kovacs, Lead, Cloud Computing - CIO Services, Ernst & Young
Praise
“With the AI era upon us, CIOs and ‘the business’ must finally collapse the silos and act as one. Digital Inside Out guides CIOs, who are stuck between legacy tech and new AI demands, to get out of the messy middle and lead. Colisto offers us practical guidance and honest reflections and maps a mid-tenure leadership journey―from recalibrating strategy and accelerating innovation to scaling influence and building lasting impact."
– Martha Heller, CEO of tech search firm, Heller Search Associates and author of The CIO Paradox and Be the Business
“Digital Inside Out can be a tremendous help as CIOs transform their role from new in position to being an impactful leader through the use of numerous real world case studies and check lists to give them the tools needed to be a strategic partner.”
– Ken Hicks, President & Chief Executive Officer, PetSmart
“Digital Inside Out is a masterclass on the most consequential transformation a technology executive can undertake: the evolution from operational IT leadership to true strategic leadership of the business. While few leaders or organizations successfully make this aspirational leap in mindset and influence, Colisto offers deeply practical, substantive, and detailed guidance―delivering hard-won wisdom and clarity from his own exceptional journey as one of the most insightful and high-impact leaders in the Fortune 500".
– Adam Alfi, General Partner, ICONIQ
“Digital Inside Out is the leadership blueprint for the CIOs as technology becomes the ‘business’ from being at the backend. Nicholas Colisto brilliantly reframes IT as a driver of enterprise value―grounded in customer insight, cultural transformation, and strategic agility to deliver superior customer experience and business outcomes. His real-world, experience-led guidance will resonate with any technology leader, who aspires to move to the boardroom. A must-read for those looking to scale impact from the inside out.”
– Anupam Singhal, President & Business Group Head – Manufacturing, Tata Consultancy Services
Praise for Digital Inside Out
“Transformation isn’t about technology. It’s about reimagining how a company works and enabling that change through technology. That’s why Digital Inside Out stands out. Nicholas Colisto doesn’t just write about systems or platforms; he focuses on the real engine of change: mindset, culture, and leadership."
– Sven Gerjets, Chief Technology Officer, The Gap
“Digital Inside Out addresses the central question that CIOs – and other transformation-minded executives – face today: How can I become a proactive agent of change, growth, and innovation. With hard-won experience and real-world strategies, Nicholas Colisto aims to help leaders go beyond operational excellence to shaping strategy and building a legacy of success.”
– John Gallant, Enterprise Consulting Director, CIO Magazine
“Nicholas has authored an ultimate playbook for leaders to use for navigation in taking an organization through the journey of technology transformation and digital adoption. Not only does this book provide a roadmap for achieving higher success in organizations, but also lends to finding higher meaning and achievement in one's personal career journey.”
– Brad Marr, CISO & IT VP, MasterBrand Cabinets
In today’s boardroom, technology is no longer just an enabler―it’s the business strategy. In Digital Inside Out, Nicholas Colisto provides a timely and practical guide for CIOs ready to evolve from operational leaders into enterprise change agents. He captures the mindset shift we all experience when we move from managing systems to shaping outcomes. This book is a valuable resource for any digital leader who wants to earn influence at the highest levels and help drive transformation that delivers long-term impact.”
– Mike Anderson, Chief Digital & Information Officer, Netskope
“What I appreciated most about Nicholas’ book is its concise, straightforward guidance. Too often, new CIOs notch early wins and then settle into maintenance mode. Nicholas reminds us that we must never stop pushing the business – and ourselves – forward.”
– Rich Dolce, VP, IT & Americas Information Systems Officer, Fujifilm Holdings America Corporation
“I have been in sales for my entire professional career and the wisdom and knowledge that Nicholas shares in his book, Digital Inside Out has changed the way I think about speaking to executives. Understanding this allows me to meet them where they are in their journey."
– John Sapone, Chief Revenue Officer, NinjaOne